Pastor Ben Becomes Navy Chaplain

Humble. Wise. Hardworking. Tender-hearted. Loving. Easy-going. Powerful Preacher. These are some of the ways members of Patuxent Presbyterian Church have described their beloved associate pastor. In addition to being an Associate Pastor, Reverend Benjamin Garris recently earned the impressive distinction of Navy Chaplain, and is a Lieutenant Junior Grade in the United States Navy Reserves. After completing the required three phases of intensive and varied training, he graduated on July 24^th from the Navy Chaplain School in Newport, Rhode Island.

Since graduating from Union Presbyterian Seminary with his Master of Divinity degree in 2015, Rev. Garris has experienced a whirlwind of life changes in a short span of time – commissioning into the Chaplain Candidacy Program in 2012, marrying his beloved wife Paige in 2015; moving to Southern Maryland and pastoring at Patuxent Presbyterian Church in 2016; training, learning, and more training; experiencing the loss of a close family member; awaiting assignment to a Navy Reserve unit; expecting a son on Christmas Day this year. Through it all, Rev. Garris has possessed a sense of calm by trusting God. “Perhaps it sounds cliché, but trusting God is how I’m able to experience life one day at a time while remaining flexible and open to change,” stated Rev. Garris.

Passionate about serving God and country, Rev. Garris considers Luke 10:27 (NIV) to be his life verse: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and Love your neighbor as yourself.” As a servant leader in both the church and military, he is devoted to offering a ministry of presence. The similarities in both callings are to provide religious services to those of his own faith and to demonstrate care for everyone by listening and counseling. Exclusive to his Chaplaincy in the Navy Reserves, Rev. Garris will be present to train alongside the sailors and marines and will remind them that God is with them where they are, will facilitate those of other faiths with their religious needs through connections to various faith communities, and will advise the Command on moral and ethical issues, as well as potential religious implications pertaining to a mission.

The ministry of presence is also a vital part of the Garris marriage. “My wife Paige loves the Lord, and she is a constant physical reminder of God’s love to me and everyone who knows her. Her love, prayers, and support are making so many incredible things happen for us as a family and for so many others,” said Rev. Garris.

While completing Phases 2 and 3 of Chaplaincy School early in July, Rev. Garris was impressed with the advice shared by the Chaplain School CO, Capt. Steve Moses regarding the importance of “Upward Living” and adopting the gratitude attitude of “I GET TO do this.” As Rev. Garris awaits word on the Navy unit he will serve, he continues to live by faith, one day at a time. The Bible verse which has been on the forefront of his mind and on his heart is Proverbs 16:9 (NLT): “We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.”